Potatoes are a popular side dish in my house because they’re inexpensive and can be made in a variety of ways. A baked potato with butter, sour cream, and a bit of bacon makes my mouth water. Did you know there are thousands of varieties of potatoes? But, not all are equal and there are only three types we primarily use (learn about them here). Here are five different ways you can cook potatoes.
French fries are a classic potato side dish. But when fried, not the healthiest in a weekly dinner rotation. Bonnie (Cottonwood, CA) shared her recipe for Oven Baked Fries and Potato Wedges that are a healthier take on traditional french fries.
“The best thing about this recipe is that you don’t have to turn the fries in the oven,” explains Bonnie. “It is made with only 1 Tbsp of oil, and it tastes fabulous. You won’t even know these are oven fries.”
Skip the trip to the arches and make these fries at home. Once baked, the outside of these perfectly seasoned potatoes is crispy while the center is tender. Soaking the sliced potatoes in cold water before baking is key to getting them crisp. It helps to pull out some of the potato starch.
Carolyn Parke (Idaho Falls, ID) puts her twist on mashed potatoes in her Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe.
“Who doesn’t love creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes,” asks Carolyn. “I definitely do. A fabulous comfort food that is perfect for any occasion.”
Creamy and buttery, these mashed potatoes will be fantastic on your dinner table. Boiling the potatoes in garlic adds a subtle flavor of garlic throughout the recipe. The skins of the red potatoes are left on and give a rustic feel to the dish. These mashed potatoes are creamy with a few lumps… just like mom used to make.
“I was looking for a different side dish,” reveals Jill McEachern. “This is my concoction and I will be making it again. My family loved it.”
Jill’s Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese Potatoes are fantastic. These potatoes are buttery and creamy. They’re baked until the Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese are melted and form a slight crust on top. Keep this recipe in your back pocket when planning your holiday menu.
Roasted potatoes are popular in my house and a favorite recipe is Donna Brown’s Herb Roasted Potatoes.
“This is a great side dish for vegetables or a burger,” says Donna. She’s right. I’ve served these with steak, burgers, and roasted chicken. I love the precooking technique Donna uses before roasting the potatoes. It cuts down on the cooking time and prevents them from burning. The finished potatoes are perfectly crunchy and full of salty, herby flavor.
Cheryl Neubecker’s (La Mesa, CA) Italian Potato Boats are so filling you could eat them as a side dish or a small meal if you’re not super hungry.
“I always make extra potatoes when I cook them,” shares Cheryl. “I love to have extra in the fridge for a quick side dish. This recipe came from one of those nights when I had to make something quick with what I had in the fridge.”
This became a favorite recipe with her family and I can see why. Creamy and cheesy, I enjoyed this recipe. Italian dressing mix adds a tangy flavor to the potatoes. The skin crisps up nicely while the middle remains wonderfully creamy. These are quite tasty.
I could seriously have a potato each night. If you’re looking for different ways to cook potatoes so they don’t get boring, I suggest trying one of these side dishes. They’re all delicious and guaranteed to be a hit. Happy Pinching!